Method for screening compounds for anti-inflammatory activity

A method and cell line for screening test compounds for anti-inflammatory activity are disclosed. The cell line is a human cell line capable of producing a selected cytokine associated with an inflammatory response in humans, and transfected with (i) a vector containing DNA encoding a cytokine regulatory factor under the control of a first promoter, and (ii) a vector containing DNA encoding a detectable-marker protein, under the control of a second promoter which is responsive to cytokine induction. In the screening method, the cells are cultured under conditions of cytokine regulatory factor overexpression and cytokine induction. Addition of test compound that results in a diminution of the detectable-marker protein is evidence of anti-inflammatory activity.